Elephant seal

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/elephant-seal

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How heavy is Elephant seal?Up to 4,000 kg (8,800 lb)
2. How deep is Elephant seal?Over 1,500 meters (5,000 feet)
3. What is the scientific name?Genus Mirounga (Mirounga angustirostris and Mirounga leonina)
4. What is the population (estimated)?Northern: >150,000; Southern: >700,000
5. What makes elephant seals so big and heavy?Elephant seals are huge, especially the males, and they have a thick layer of blubber that keeps them warm and stores energy.
6. Why do male elephant seals have a big nose like a balloon?The big nose, called a proboscis, helps males make loud sounds to protect their territory and attract mates.

Proboscis: The pendulous, trunk-like nose of the male elephant seal, used for vocalization and display.
Convergent Evolution: The independent evolution of similar features in species of different lineages, driven by similar environmental pressures or ecological roles.
Blubber: A thick layer of adipose tissue in marine mammals, providing insulation, energy storage, and buoyancy.
Pinnipedia: An order of marine mammals comprising seals, sea lions, and walruses.